Offaly History (short for Offaly Historical & Archaeological) was first formed in 1938 and re-established in 1969 and is located at Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co. Offaly since 1993(next to the new Tullamore D.E.W Visitor Centre).

We are about collecting and sharing memories. We do this in an organised way though exhibitions, supporting the publication of local interest books, our website Offalyhistory.com , Facebook, open evenings, our library and offices at Bury Quay.

Offaly History is a non-profit community group with a growing membership of some 150 individuals.

The Society focuses on enhancing educational opportunities, understanding and knowledge of the county heritage while fostering an inclusive approach and civic pride in local identity. We promote these objectives through:

The holding of monthly lectures, occasional seminars, exhibitions and film screenings.
Organising tours during the summer months to places of shared historical interest.

The publication of an annual journal Offaly Heritage – to date nine issues.

We play a unique role collecting and digitising original primary source materials especially photographs and oral history recordings

Offaly History is the centre for Family History research in Counties Laois and Offaly.

The Society is linked to the renowned Irish Family Foundation website and Roots Ireland where some 900,000 records of Offaly/Laois interest can be accessed on a pay-per-view basis worldwide. Currently these websites have an estimated 20 million records of all Ireland interest.

The financial activities of the Society are operated under the aegis of Offaly Heritage Centre Limited, a charitable company whose directors also serve on the Society’s elected committee. None of the Society’s directors receive remuneration or any kind. All the company’s assets are held in trust to promote the voluntary activities of the Society. Our facilities are largely free to the public or run purely on a costs-recovery basis.

Acting as a policy advisory body – Offaly History endeavors to ensure all government departments, local authorities, tourism agencies and key opinion formers prioritise heritage matters.

Meet the current committee:

Our Committee represents a broad range of backgrounds and interests. All share a common interest in collecting and promoting the heritage of the county and making it available to the wider community.

2017 Committee

Helen Bracken (President)

Pat Wynne (Vice President and Joint Treasurer)

Niall Sweeney (Vice President)

Michael Byrne (Secretary)

Lisa Shortall (Deputy Secretary)

Dorothee Bibby (Record Secretary)

Charlie Finlay (Joint Treasurer)

Darrell Hooper

Brian Pey

Fred Geoghegan

Noel Guerin

Henry Edgill

Peter Burke

Angella Kelly

Rory Masterson

Shaun Wrafter

Ronnie Matthews

Oliver Dunne

Ciara Molloy

Stephen Callaghan (Heritage Items)

If you would like to help with the work of the Society by coming on a sub-committee or in some other way please email us or let an existing member know.

Foremost And Ready Kildare and the 1916 Rising – James Durney

€16.00

Foremost And Ready Kildare and the 1916 Rising

On Easter Monday 1916, 1,600 men, women and children went out to fight for an independent Ireland. They faced the most powerful empire in the world. The battle raged in Dublin for six days and resulted in 485 deaths and the destruction of the many parts of the city. While mainly a Dublin affair many of the Volunteers were from outside the city; two dozen Kildare men and women took part in the Rising, including fifteen men who walked from Maynooth to the GPO. Nine Kildare natives were killed in the Rising, while dozens more were wounded or imprisoned in the aftermath.

The subsequent execution of the leaders of the Rising awakened a generation to the cause of the Irish Freedom and the Kildare men of 1916 – Domhnall ua Buachalla, Tom Harris, Pat Colgan, Michael Smyth and Éamonn Ó Modhráin – would play their part.

Description

Foremost And Ready Kildare and the 1916 Rising

On Easter Monday 1916, 1,600 men, women and children went out to fight for an independent Ireland. They faced the most powerful empire in the world. The battle raged in Dublin for six days and resulted in 485 deaths and the destruction of the many parts of the city. While mainly a Dublin affair many of the Volunteers were from outside the city; two dozen Kildare men and women took part in the Rising, including fifteen men who walked from Maynooth to the GPO. Nine Kildare natives were killed in the Rising, while dozens more were wounded or imprisoned in the aftermath.

The subsequent execution of the leaders of the Rising awakened a generation to the cause of the Irish Freedom and the Kildare men of 1916 – Domhnall ua Buachalla, Tom Harris, Pat Colgan, Michael Smyth and Éamonn Ó Modhráin – would play their part.